Sheet dispenser



Sept. 27, 1966 G. cRANsKENS SHEET DISPENSER Filed Feb. 17, 1964 .7n v en for GEORG cRA/vsKE/vs AGEN United States Patent O claims. (l. 221-259) This invention concerns a sheet dispenser having at least two compartments for issuing paper sheets from respective stacks of photographic paper at least one of these stacks consisting of sensitive photographic paper; this stack is arranged in a compartment provided with a closure having a delivery mechanism with a feed member which is brought into operation upon the actuation of ythe closure for adv-ancing the uppermost sheet of the stack.

Such sheet dispensers are known in numerous embodiments. They have at least two compartments, one for positive paper and constructed as an open tray or as a plate, and one constituting a light-proof closable cabinet for the sensitive negative paper. These constructions are cumbersome and inconvenient. If, for example, the positive paper is to be arranged below the cabinet for the negative paper, it is necessary for a certain free space to be provided for insertion of the positive paper, so that these arrangements have a considerable overall height.

Delivering mechanisms having conventional feed rollers adalpted to be locked in one direction have inherent disadvantages arising from the nature of the locking arrangement (e.g. a pawl). The locking of such rollers is initiated in dependence upon the tooth pitch of the Aratchet wheel, so that latching can commence belatedly.

Furthermore such ratchet pawls may lead to jamming. Therefore rollers displaceable in one direction have already 'been largely-replaced by roller-like members having a pivoting action.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved sheet dispenser which is constructed more compactly than known sheet dispensers.

A further object is to provide a sheet dispenser which has smooth outer surfaces adapted readily to be kept clean.

Furthermore, another object of the invention resides in providing `a compact sheet dispenser which has two compartments and a high degree of lightproofness or opacity of the closable compartment.

In accordance with fthe principles of this invention the closure member for the lighttight compartment is constructed as to constitute the receiving container for the second stack and is arranged so as to be-displaced parallel to itself on the lower light-tight cabinet for the stack of photosensitive paper. It is understood that the fundamental possibility exists of constructing these receiving containers also as a tray open at the top for nonsensitive paper.

Preferably all the functional parts causing the advance of a sheet are arranged on the closure-forming upper container. This not only improves the ease of manufacture but also facilitates `assembly and handling when fil-ling the lower compartment, because during removal of the receiving container no mechanical connections or rods have to be disengaged.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the receiving container to be displacealble against spring power and without affecting the sheets to be dispensed for the purpose of exposing an opening: with the automatic return .of the closure by the spring, the uppermost sheet of the stack is slid out of the closure opening. In

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this case it is essential for the invention that the dis placeable closure be mounted slidably on the upper edge of the lightproof closable compartment, so that the advantage is obtained that when the closure is opened only the uppermost sheet is exposed. As the uppermost sheet however, is slid out of the opening, i.e. on the return stroke of the closure, there is ensured that any entry of light is excluded, especially when the closure has practically reached its closing position, before the rear edge of the sheet has left the cabinet.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the receiving container is pivotal to a limited extent on guide extensions and at least one roller pair, the rollersy of which are disposed on opposite side walls offset to the rear from the center. The deadweight of the front portion, which is longer with regard to the roller pair, effects a satisfactory light seal at the delivery opening, but allows a slight spreading of .the delivery gap.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment the receiving container has a cover `plate and its interior space accessible through a window upon movement of a at slider. Hereby with aflat, rectangular construction of the whole sheet dispenser, it is not only possible to olbtain a pleasing cabinet closed on all sides, but also a closed top surface which, since the flat slider extends only over part of the top surface, may be used as a table for holding parts or to receive notice arrangements, telephone directories or the like. For this purpose the receiving container may also, for example, be supported on two roller pairs to exclude horizontal swinging. In this case the overlapping of the wall sections ensures adequate closure, even with subsequent delivery of the rear edge of a sheet when the receiving con-tainer has previously returned to its original position.

With regard to the above specially emphasized movement of the sheet dur-ing the return of the closure-forming receiving container, the invention provides for a feed roller adapted in known manner to be locked on one direction to be shiftable in the same direction as the receiving container and during shifting during the opening of the cabinet to be freely rotatable, the locking being effected during engagement of the roller whenthe closure is closed.'

An essential feature in this case is that the roller functions directly as the stop wheel and a pivotal pawl is adapted to co-operate with the continuous roller circumference. Thus .there is not only an instantaneously acting locking engagement, but also a constant roughening of the roll surface, especially when the pawl in accordance with the preferred embodiment extends over the whole axial length of the roller.

In accordance with a further development of the invention, a manually actuated lever is arranged on the front surface of the receiving container for optionally swinging horizontally or lifting off the feed roller. This provides the possibility, if the closure is accidentally opened, for it to be returned to its original closed position without forcing out a sheet.

The feature that a portion of the dispensed sheet is removed when the delivery opening has practically been closed again is sufiicient for the closure or the receiving container to be displaced over a `short stnoke since in practice it is necessary to lead out a wide enough marginal section of a sheet, so that the sheet may be held by this marginal section and then completely withdrawn.

The invention will now be explained by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a sheet-dispensing device in accordance with the invention taken on the line I-I in FIG. 3;

FIG. f2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is'a perspectivelview of the sheet-dispensing device from the front; and

FIG. 4 is an end View of FIG. 2 seen from the right.

The sheet-dispensing device comprises a lower cabinet 1 and an upper receiving container 2. The lower cabinet has a bottom 3 which on the inside surface forms a ramp 8 inclined upwardly to the bottom to permit individual sheets to be readily dispensed Vfrom the cabinet 1 over lthe upper edge 9 of an end wall 7.

The container 2, which simultaneously serves as closure, has an intermediate wall 10 which extends substantially parallel to the bottom 3. Side walls 11, 12 and a rear wall 13 extend overlappingly outside of end walls 4, and a rear wall 6 of the lower cabinet 1. A front wall 14, profiled in a manner yet to be described, terminates at the edge 9 and has an extension 15 extending obliquely into the interior of the cabinet 1, which extension overlaps the ramp 8, but advantageously leaves a small gap free. It is thus also pointed out that the front wall 14 of the receiving container 2 in the original position shown lies forwardly of the front wall 7, .so that the edge 9 which may be formed as an acute angle or with a slight rounding, is located at a point protected from light incidence and in any case is protected from being exposed to light rays which strike the apparatus in the direction of the ramp 8.

The receiving container 2 is closed at the top by means of a cover wall 19 which is in the proximity of the front end wall has an access opening 17. The latter is adapted to be opened or closed by means of a flat slider 18 with a handle 3S. The fiat slider is guided in guides 20 on the upper end of the side walls 11, 12.

The intermediate wall simultaneously serves as carrier of the whole mechanism. The end of a rod 22 is received in an extension or abutment 21 extending downwardly and having a suitable opening facing the rear wall 13, the -other end of the rod 22 passing through an opening 23 in a further extension or bearing 44. The axial position of the rod is fixed by its support against the rear wall 13. On the rod 22 is a compressing spring 24 which extends from the extension or abutment 21 simultaneously forming a resilient mounting, to an abutment pedestal 25 displaceable on the rod. This abutment pedestal has an extension arm 26 which extends downwards into the cabinet` 1 and is supported against the inside surface of the rear wall 6.

It is expedient to provide a suitable recess 28 on the rear wall 6 for a protruding profiling 27 of the extension 26 so that the spring 24 simultaneously causes an elastic locking of the receiving container 2 on the cabinet 1,.

In the example illustrated the receiving container 2 is supported by means of a roller pair at 29 so as to be displaceable in parallel on the cabinet 1. A second roller pair may also be provided. Of each roller pair one roller 29, 30 is illustrated. The rollers are mounted s-o `as to be pivotal on journals 44, 45 which are supported in the side walls 11, 12. The rollers 29, 310 have a peripheral profiling which is in engagement with a complementary profiling on the upper edges of the side walls 4, 5 of the cabinet. The upper edge of the side wall 4 is designated by 31. This results in ready assembly as the receiving container need only be inverted on the cabinet 4, the stop connection 27, 28 being effected automatically. The rollers may have a step 50 profiled in their running surface.

It is furthermore emphasized that the roller pair with the roller 29 is offset out of center of the sheet dispenser in the direction of the rear Wall. This construction is essential when the roller pair at 30 shown in broken lines has been omitted.

On a bearing projection 31 facing downwards a pivot lever 33 is mounted so as to be pivotal about a pivot pin 32, which lever supports the feed roller 35 adapted to be freely pivotal about a shaft 34. The feed roller cooperates with a pawl 36 the bearing bridge of which is guided so as to be pivotal in a sheet metal punch out 37. The sheet metal cut-out 37 has a neck 49 and a recess 46 extending at an angle thereto in which a rib 47 of the pawl is pivotally retained. The lateral guide is formed by the U-profile of the lever 33. On the U-profile shaped end of the pivot lever 33 two ribs are provided of which one is designated by 3-8 and the other by 4'8. Between these ribs is situated the shaft 34 on which the roller 35 is mounted. This causes any stop to be omitted. If the roller 35 is rotated in a clockwise direction the rotation is unobstructed. If a reversal of the direction of rotation according to the arrow 39 in FIG. 2 occurs, the edge 40 of the pawl 36 digs into the elastic jacket of the roller and obstructs its progressive rotation instantly, simultaneously a direct profiling of the jacket of the roller 35 being achieved. The lever 33 is extended via its pivot bearing by means of the Ishaft 36 and has an arm 41 with which a push-button 42 may engage which is adapted to be operated from the front surface of the sheet dispenser. The object of actuating rthe push-button is to lift the roller 35 if required ofi" a stack disposed on lthe bottom 3. The pushbutton is formed by an upper knob-like actuating lever and an actuating rod mechanism extending downwardly arranged thereon.

The stack of positive emulsion paper is disposed on the intermediate wall 10.

The intermediate wall 10 with its extensions and frame portions is adapted to be inserted in the manner shown in a structural part forming the side walls 11, 12 and the end walls 13, 14 with .the cover wall 16, a construction of plastic material readily providing possibilities for locating and locking, which herein are not to be dealt with in detail.

To remove a positive paper the flat slider 17 is opened and cl-osed. To remove a negative paper the receiving container 2 is displaced to the rear (right in FIG. 1). In this case the roller 35 rolls along the uppermost paper. Spring 24 is tensioned, then the upper porti-on is released. The return movement of .the receiving con-tainer 2, whilst expanding the spring 24 drawn lthe roller 35 to the left, it being locked against rotation so that the uppermost negative paper is carried along. Its front edge slide lone the ramp 8 over the edge 9. It is suiiicient for the negative paper to be slid out, for example, by 5 cm., which corresponds to a stroke of the receiving container 2 through only substantially 5 cm. Thereupon the negartive paper can be pulled out further by hand, which has to engage it anyway and which has prior thereto actuated the receiving container.

The arrangement shown of a slight gap between the extension 15 and the upper end of the ramp thus readily permits the negative paper to be received. It is thus also pointed out that the front portion of the receiving container 2 is guided on the cabinet 1 only by its weight or by the weight of the stack of positive paper, and that the only locking occurs at 27, 28. Thereby the receiving container 2 due to the pull of the negative paper may possibly be lifted slightly without indesinably exposing an opening for light.

It is understood that for producing a certain pressure application of the feed roller 35 a compression spring could also be arranged between the intermediate wall 10 and the lever 35. Generally however, as known the weight is sufficient.

FIG. 3 shows the surprisingly fiat and space saving embodiment which, for example, in the region of the square 43 may be provided with diary sheets or the like.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for storing )and dispensing sheets which are `arranged in different stacks, the sheets being screened in -at least one stack 'against light incidence, said apparatus comprising a cabinet-like lower portion having a bottom and side w-alls to receive =a stack which is disposed on.

the bottom; a cover-like upper portion which is adapted to be displaced relative to the lower portion in longitudinal guides, said longitudinal guides Ibeing formed by longitudinal side walls of the lower portion and guide elements co-operating therewith and arranged on the upper portion; and a dispensing mechanism on the upper portion and acting on the stack of sheets in the lower portion in order to issue the uppermost sheet of this stack of sheets during the reciprocating movement of the upper portion, said upper portion forming a cabinet-like receiving container for a second stack and being at least partly open at the top for the removal of a sheet from said second stack, said container being provided with an upper wall formed at one end with an access opening through which sheets of the second stack may be removed, a closure slidably mounted in the access opening, said container having side walls which overlap externally the side walls of the lower portion on three sides land on the fourth side terminates substantially at the upper edge of the corresponding side wall of the lower portion to form an |outlet for the sheets of the stack in said lower portion, said receiving container having an intermediate wall spaced below the upper wall and carrying the sheet stack in said container.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the side wall of the receiving container on said fourth side projects downwardly over said edge.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said intermediate wall has a downwardly projecting first abutment, said apparatus further comprising a lrod in this first abutment and extending from this first abutment to a rear wall of the receiwing container which is remote from the outlet, a passage formed in a side wall of the lower portion parallel to this rear wa=ll of the receiving container and removably receiving the rod, a second abutment on said intermediate wall slidably receiving said rod for guiding same, -a member on said rod engageable 'with the inner surface of the side wall of the lower portion provided with said passage, and resilient means between the first and second abutment in order to retain the receiving container elastically yielding in a position in which it completely covers the lower portion.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein an overlapping extension is provided on the end face of the receiving container at which said access opening is formed and overlaps the inside surface of the associated end wall of the 'lower portion in an end position of the receiving container which is formed by engagement of the opposite `rear side walls of the lower portion and the receiving container with one another, said extension being disposed in spaced relationship from the inside surface yof the end wall of the lower portion and in the closed position forming a gap which in the closed position is closed light-tight by the overlapping extension.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the end wall of the lower portion on the side of said outlet and on the inside surface has a ramp-like ascending wall surface and in overlapping extension on the associated end wall lof the receiving container extending in the same direction as the ramp-like ascending wall extension.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least two journals on the longitudinal side wa-lls of the receiving container projecting inwardly from said walls and facing each other, a roller provided on each of these journals and having a circumferential profiling interfitting with the upper edge of the longitudinal side wall of the lower portion, the journals being offset rearwardly from the outlet of the apparatus beyond the longitudinal center to the apparatus, and guide parts on the edges of the side walls of the lower portion and the removing container in direct abutting relationship under the weight of the upper portion whereby a see-saw like horizontal swinging movement about the rollers is possible to widen the outlet.

7. Apparatus for storing and dispensing sheets which are arranged in different stacks, the sheets being screened in at least one stack against light incidence, said apparatus comprising a cabinet-like lower portion having a bottom and side walls to receive a stack which is disposed on the bottom; a cover-like upper portion which is adapted to be displaced relative to the lower portion in longitudinal guides, said longitudnal guides being formed by longitudinal side walls of the lower portion and guide elements co-operating therewith and arranged on the upper portion; and a dispensing mechanism on the upper portion and acting on the stack of sheets in the lower portion in order to issue the upper most sheet lof this stack of sheets during the reciprocating movement of the upper portion, said upper portion forming a cabinet-like receiving container for a second stack and being at least partly open at the top for the removal of a sheet from said second stack, said delivery mechanism having a feed roller and a pivot lever, axle means mounting said feed roller for pivoting movement -on the pivot lever, locking means between the feed roller and the pivot lever for resisting rot-ation of the roller in one direction and permitting rotation in another direction, said pivot lever being mounted on said upper portion, said locking means being so constructed that the roller is freely rotated by rolling off on the uppermost sheet of the first stack on displacement of the receiving container in the direction of the opening of the =lower portion while during the return movement of the receiving container it is locked against rotation during closure of the lower portion.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises a pivotal pawl pivotal in an opening provided in the pivot letver adjacent the roller and ysupported against the circumference of the roller at a point offset from the upper roller apex so that the pawl, when the roller is turned back owing to the return movement of the receiving container, digs lockingly into the roller circumference.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising an actuating lever on the receiving container at the sheetwithdrawal side, an actuating-rod mechanism on the actuating lever and accessible from the outside, and an :arm on the pivot lever, the actuating-rod mechanism being connected with the arm such that a movement of the actuating lever causes the pivot lever to be swung to lift the feed roller off the first stack.

10. A device for dispensing sheets from -at least two stacks, comprising an upwardly open lower container` having a side forming an outlet for sheets from a respective stack receivable in said lower container; an upper container mounted upon said lower container and completely covering same for receiving another stack of sheets to be dispensed; means supporting said upper container upon said lower container for reciprocating movement of said upper container toward and away from the outlet side in a plane of the upper container; and feed means affixed to said upper container and shiftable therewith for successively feeding sheets from the stack in `said lower container past said outlet side during successive reciprocations of said upper container upon said lower container, said upper container having an access opening permitting withdrawal of sheets from the stack in said upper container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,451,382 10/1948 Davis 221-186 2,885,203 5/1959 K-alish 270-58 3,008,606 1l/1961 Limtberger 221-37 M. HENSON WOOD, J R., Primary Examiner. R. A. SCHACHER, Assistant! Examiner. 

10. A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SHEETS FROM AT LEAST TWO STACKS, COMPRISING AN UPWARDLY OPEN LOWER CONTAINER HAVING A SIDE FORMING AN OUTLET FOR SHEETS FROM A RESPECTIVE STACK RECEIVABLE IN SAID LOWER CONTAINER; AN UPPER CONTAINER MOUNTED UPON SAID LOWER CONTAINER AND COMPLETELY COVERING SAME FOR RECEIVING ANOTHER STACK OF SHEETS TO BE DISPENSED; MEANS SUPPORTING SAID UPPER CONTAINER UPON SAID LOWER CONTAINER FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OUTLET SIDE IN A PLANE OF THE UPPER CONTAINER; AND FEED MEANS AFFIXED TO SAID UPPER CONTAINER AND SHIFTABLE THEREWITH FOR SUCCESSIVELY FEEDING SHEETS FROM THE STACK IN SAID LOWER CONTAINER PAST SAID OUTLET SIDE DURING SUCCESSIVE RECIPROCATIONS OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER UPON SAID LOWER CONTAINER, SAID UPPER CONTAINER HAVING AN ACCESS OPENING PERMITTING WITHDRAWAL OF SHEETS FROM THE STACK IN SAID UPPER CONTAINER. 